Leonardo's POV
I woke up with my neck stiff and my back protesting like I'd slept on concrete.
Which, to be fair, wasn't far from the truth.
The bathroom floor was cold, even with a towel beneath me. I rolled my shoulders slowly, hissing under my breath as I pushed myself up. My head still felt heavy, half from exhaustion, half from everything I'd refused to think about last night.
I unlocked the door and stepped out quietly.
The room was dim, curtains still drawn. Morning light leaked in through the edges, painting the floor in pale gold.
And then I saw her.
Valerie was asleep on the bed.
For a second, I just stood there.
She was lying on her side, hair spread messily across the pillow, breathing slow and even. Peaceful. Unguarded. Like the world hadn't been trying to tear her apart for weeks.
My gaze dropped.
She was holding something.
Is that…My shirt?
The black one I'd left hanging after laundry.
